Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, September 12, 2017
(UNDATED) - Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC is sending crews and equipment to assist in Hurricane Irma recovery efforts.
The storm has created widespread property damage with more than 6 million without power in the southeastern part of the country, according to a press release issued by the Bloomfield-based electric cooperative.
An estimated 60 Indiana electric cooperative linemen will leave from either Indiana Electric Cooperatives in Indianapolis or Clark County REMC in Sellersburg today. The crews will work in two week shifts until power is restored to the region.
"We take care of needs at home first, but our crews are eager to help those in need," said Jared Pyne, Line Superintendent for UDWI REMC. "They take tremendous pride in representing our cooperative and the state of Indiana. Our crews represent us well with how hard, professionally and safely they work."
Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by electric cooperatives has been built to federal standards, line crews from any American electric cooperative can arrive on the scene ready to provide support, secure in their knowledge of the system's engineering.
"Every cooperative in the Indiana electric cooperative family is an integral part of a state and national network of hundreds of fellow cooperatives," said Gayvin Strantz, vice president of job training and safety for Indiana Electric Cooperatives. "It is incumbent upon us to work together and help one another in times of disaster, to make sure our power delivery systems are repaired as quickly, safely and cost-effectively as possible."
The Indiana electric cooperative mutual aid program is coordinated by Indiana Electric Cooperative's job training and safety department and provides cooperative assistance in service restoration from storms or other events that result in significant power outages.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.